A balmy 15 degrees in Rome, or a bitterly cold four above freezing in Salford? We know where we'd rather be...

After one game, the Six Nations table looks uncommonly rosy for Scotland - their win over Ireland last weekend was their first opening-day success in 11 years.

But those in charge of the Scottish game know recent upturns in form - in European and international competition - have to be underpinned by growth of the grassroots game.

Scottish Rugby's head of youth Colin Thomson and development officer Colin Sturgeon explain how they are getting boys and girls involved in rugby union with their 'School of Rugby' programme. 

At St Andrew's in east Glasgow, the coaches take 11 to 14-year-olds through drills and skills and tell us why a structured fixture list can build confidence and retain children in the sport for life. 

If you want to find out more about getting involved in rugby union, check out our Get Inspired guide.

James Burridge
BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

The sun is shining and Italy are treating Ireland's fans to a colourful and musical extravaganza. Our reporter James Burridge came across this band on his walk to the Stadio Olimpico. I can't help thinking of holiday reps when I look at this motley crew though.

Image source, BBC Sport

Cai Greenslade: Named my all-black labrador puppy Danny after my favourite All-Blacks player Dan Carter

Colin Roughan: Had a hamster called Shaq - after the 7ft tall basketballer - as you do

Wales' Sam Davies came on as a replacement for Dan Biggar in the 33-7 win over Italy in Rome last weekend, and is set to start on the bench against England in Cardiff later. 

Not that the 23-year-old Ospreys fly-half seems to mind... 

Perhaps he has an inkling that Biggar might not pass the late fitness test he is due to undergo.

The Times

In the Times, chief rugby correspondent Owen Slot says that if England are left blaming the pre-match passion and pyrotechnics for a defeat, they should look at themselves.

"There are 101 ways that England could lose their unbeaten run in Cardiff today, but if it is the occasion that beats them, then it will be an epic failure on the part of Eddie Jones and his coaching team," he writes. , external

Image source, The Times

Italy have arrived.

We await Ireland.

Image source, Getty Images

Intense pressure? Unrelenting scrutiny? And the knowledge that one false move could bringing a tonne of physical pain raining down on you?

And that is just the coach driver.

Ireland head honcho Joe Schmidt claimed earlier in the week that their team bus' arrival 15 minutes late at Murrayfield was behind Ireland's sluggish start against Scotland - they were three tries and 16 points down after 30 minutes.

"I don't think it was apathy, there was a bit of anxiety at not having had the full period to warm-up," said Schmidt. 

"Players get anxious, they get very routine-based."

Image source, Twitter

Meet Ledley.

Ledley the Labradoodle is the Warburton's dog and will be supporting Sam today.

His name is taken from the round-ball game rather than oval however.

Warburton's a Tottenham fan, like his dad, and all their dogs are named after former Spurs players.

The family have also had Glenn (Glenn Hoddle), Ted (Teddy Sheringham), Gus (Gus Poyet), Alfie (Alfie Conn) and Dawson (Michael Dawson).

Have you named a pet after a sporting idol? If so did the pet fare as well as it's namesake?

Let us know via #bbcsixnations, 81111 on text or BBC Sport Facebook.

The Guardian

Image source, Guardian

The Guardian carry a nice interview with England's Rolls Royce centre Jonathan Joseph., external

"The adrenaline was going and all the boys were real pumped up for it. I think it works for both teams,” he says of the Cardiff atmosphere.  

Image source, PA

England women annihilated Wales at Cardiff Arms Park, running in 11 tries in a 63-0 victory.

The visitors scored most of their tries through the back three with wing Lydia Thompson running in a hat-trick.

Fellow wing Amy Wilson Hardy and full-back Danielle Waterman crossed twice apiece in a dominant display.

Chris Jones
BBC Radio 5 live rugby reporter

Chief sports writer Tom Fordyce is stroking his chin and running the rule over the runners and riders in the Wales v England game against a backdrop of a busy Cardiff.

We are still awaiting a final call from Wales on the fitness of wing George North and fly-half Dan Biggar.

Rob Howley is giving the pair every bit of time possible to recover from leg and rib knocks picked up in the win over Italy.

Alex Cuthbert and Sam Davies are on stand-by.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, .

Ireland's only defeat in 17 games was a 22-15 defeat in 2013.

Image source, Getty Images

In the late nineties, Italy had a 75% winning record against Ireland, having triumphed in three of their first four meetings.

Those days of Diego Dominguez and Alessandro Troncon pulling the strings are long gone however.

The Azzurri have won just once more in 22 meetings since.